WorldFest 2011, LA's biggest "green" eco-friendly festivalImage by Mary Cummins Sunday, May 22nd, 2011, 10:30 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. at WorldFest 2011 Earth Day Festival. It will be held at the beautiful outdoor setting of Woodley Park in Lake Balboa at 6350 Woodley Ave., Van Nuys, CA 91406. We welcome our attendees to a magnificent day filled with entertainment, education and enlightenment. Now in its tenth year, WorldFest has established itself as LAâs premiere solar powered pet and family-friendly "green" event. With more than 100 exhibitors, a global vegetarian and vegan food court, entertainment areas for children, and an eclectic blend of live music and engaging speaker line-up, WorldFest promises a day of entertainment and inspiration. Stars from television, film, music and sports will be joined by healthy living experts and culinary maestros to bring issues near and dear to their hearts to a broad audience, and to inspire festival-goers to embrace compassionate living. A few of our speakers include Emmy and Genesis award winning journalist Lu Parker of the Lu Parker Project, Leilani Munter professional race car driver and the Carbon Free Girl and Shannon Keith producer of "Skin Trade" and "Behind the Mask." Sponsors spanning the green spectrum include Lagunitas Brewing company, VegNews Magazine, Sun Flour Baking Co., Animal Cruelty Investigations, 100.3 fm The Sound, Follow Your Heart, Culture and Animals Foundation, Sun Cafe, Klean Kanteen, Town & Country event rentals, Lake Balboa Neighborhood Council and Mike the printer. Check out our website for a current list of Celebrities, Sponsors, Musicians, Speakers and more. Toward Freedom is a 501 3c non-profit dedicated to educating, inspiring, and supporting people on their quests to live more compassionately. For more information on WorldFest 2010, visit WorldFest at www.WorldFestEvents.com or call (310) 477-7887. Check the website for the latest updates on WorldFestâs musical entertainment, exhibitors, and speakers.

Chevrolet Celebrity two door sedanImage by dave_7 Chevrolet Celebrity in two door sedan form. The four doors are much more common but haven't seen a two door for a while. This one has the 2.5L four cylinder engine as well.

Singer Celebrity Cheryl Cole Visits British Troops in AfghanistanImage by Defence Images Singer Cheryl Cole shelters from the downwash of a Chinook helicopter during her morale boosting trip visiting British troops in Afghanistan. On the 14 September 2011 Cheryl Cole paid the British Troops in Afghanistan a morale visit where she presented the British Forces with the Pride of Britain Award. Here she can be seen taking part in a demonstration by 42 Commando Royal Marines conducting a compound clearance followed by a casualty evacuation via a Chinook helicopter. She exclaimed that she had never experienced so much dust in her life before after the helicopter came in to extract the casualty. Photographer: LA(Phot) Dave Hillhouse Image 45153211.jpg from www.defenceimages.mod.uk Follow us: www.facebook.com/defenceimageswww.twitter.com/defenceimages

TV Shows We Used To Watch - Spitting Image 1984-96Image by brizzle born and bred I miss Spitting Image as it gave us the weeks news with far more honesty than we see in other media formats. Best show on telly for quite a while. It is a tragedy that it was off the air in the Blair years. www.youtube.com/watch?v=O1dsD9aG1ik As a show that is heavily reliant on topical news of the week in which it aired, it is probably fair to say that Spitting Image hasn't aged brilliantly over the years. While a lot of the content can still be relatable or iconic enough for first-time viewers today to enjoy, there are some elements - especially regarding politics - that could easily go over the heads of people who aren't clued up on the 1980s government. This is probably why you don't see Spitting Image repeats very often, which is a shame, as it is a great document of how satirists saw the world at the time, rather than a retrospective look back decades later. As an Arena documentary about Spitting Image airs on BBC Four, Dominic Cavendish argues that we should be fighting to get the latex puppets back. I call them the âlost generationâ. Many of those reaching voting-age this year will have been born after the last episode of Spitting Image aired on February 18th 1996. These tragic teens have emerged into political consciousness in the absence of the finest and funniest TV satire series this country has ever seen. What hope can the poor lambs have of being clued up about whoâs running the show and pulling the strings? www.youtube.com/watch?v=Doi1U7I1CyU OK, I jest. A bit. But the commemoration of the 30th anniversary of Spitting Imageâs first broadcast on February 26th 1984 brings home not only how instructive and entertaining it consistently was but what a wilderness followed its departure. True, Have I Got News for You continues to rumble on â" 23 years itâs been going. Mock the Week makes useful topical swipes. And in the digital sphere, abundant Twitter gags and viral YouTube pranks such as the 2012 Nick Clegg Apology Song suggest that the masses are newly empowered to cock a snook at their âmastersâ. Yet ITVâs Spitting Image garnered audiences of millions, aimed to rally the widest constituency on mainstream terrestrial TV and could be truly, madly, memorably horrible. Politicians of the time have often said that they were actually pleased when they were given their own puppet, as it turned them into a household name when normally they would fade into the background (like a lot of MPs today). In the mid-1980s, a regular Spitting Image viewer could probably name Margaret Thatcher's entire cabinet. You'd be forgiven for only knowing about four of David Cameron's team. Thatcher was probably the most iconic puppet from the series, and the classic "vegetable" sketch is perhaps its most well known moment. John Major, the royal family, Ronald Reagan and celebrities including Jeremy Paxman and Paul Daniels were just some of the best puppets on show in the series on a regular basis. www.youtube.com/watch?v=8ZntXyindCs Spitting Image is a British satirical puppet show, created by Peter Fluck, Roger Law and Martin Lambie-Nairn. The series was produced by 'Spitting Image Productions' for Central Independent Television over 18 series which aired on the ITV network. The series was nominated and won numerous awards during its run including 10 BAFTA Television Awards, including one for editing in 1989, and even won two Emmy Awards in 1985 and 1986 in the Popular Arts Category. www.youtube.com/watch?v=xujHlWzWW98 The series featured puppet caricatures of celebrities prominent during the 1980s and 1990s, including British Prime Ministers Margaret Thatcher and John Major and other politicians, American president Ronald Reagan, and the British Royal Family; the series was the first to caricature Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother. The series was cancelled in 1996, after viewing figures declined. ITV had plans for a new series in 2006, but these were scrapped after a dispute over Ant & Dec puppets used to host the reviews "Best Ever Spitting Image", which were created against Roger Law's wishes. Blessed with Peter Fluck and Roger Lawâs ingeniously cruel caricature puppets, it combined knockabout Punch and Judy visuals with gobby verbals. It refused to treat its audience as dummies, reacting quickly and cleverly to the news. And while it was unafraid of the richest, most famous and powerful â" even making contentious fun of the Royal Family - it didnât baulk at shining a light on the lesser-known for fear of seeming obscure. Indeed obscurity could even become a running-gag â" witness the damning representation of Employment Secretary (1983-85) Tom King as âThe Invisible Manâ. Before the first episode was broadcast, the parodies of the Royal Family were cut, as a courtesy to the Duke of Edinburgh, who opened the East Midlands television centre a few days later. The scenes were however all reinstated in later episodes. The first episode had an audience of 7.9 million, but numbers rapidly dropped, which meant economies had to be introduced since the series cost Â£2.6 million, which was nearly double the price of other prime time series. The series had been scheduled to have 13 episodes but was cut back to 12, after the series was nearly cancelled. Rob Grant and Doug Naylor were then brought in as head writers to save the show. By 1986, under their supervision, Spitting Image had become popular, producing a number one song on the UK Singles Chart ("The Chicken Song"). However, Grant and Naylor subsequently left to create Red Dwarf for BBC2. Spitting Image had a short-running dispute with the Independent Broadcasting Authority (IBA) in 1985, over the use of subliminal images. www.youtube.com/watch?v=a4g0a7LaUUI When Margaret Thatcher resigned in November 1990, her successor was John Major. This marked a shift in the show's style, with the writers moving from the Punch and Judy style to more subtle and atmospheric sketches, notably a series in which an awkward John and Norma Major ate peas for dinner. The producers dressed Major, skin and all, in shades of grey. They invented an affair between him and Virginia Bottomley. The show added animated sketches from 1989 and again from 1994 (with short, animated segments before 1989). For the 1992 Election Special, a studio audience was used; this format was revisited for two episodes in late 1993. A spoof Question Time took questions from the audience. The 1992 show was fronted by a puppet Robin Day, a puppet Jeremy Paxman filling the role in the episodes broadcast on 14 November 1993 and 12 December 1993. www.youtube.com/watch?v=On-okY7cVhM The writers, Mark Burton, John O'Farrell, Pete Sinclair, Stuart Silver, and Ray Harris quit the show in 1993 and in 1995, and with viewing figures in decline, production was cancelled. The final series was in January and February 1996, with the final episode featuring "The Last Prophecies of Spitting Image" in which Labour moved into Number 10. A few years later, most of the puppets were sold at an auction hosted by Sotheby's, including a puppet of Osama Bin Laden never used in the series. During 2004, the idea of the series coming back started to appear after John Lloyd held talks with ITV executives about the show's return. John Lloyd also held talks with a number of people who voiced the Spitting Image puppets, including John Sessions, Harry Enfield and Rory Bremner, with all responding positively. www.youtube.com/watch?v=0FaH7ATXkWg Mr Lloyd commented, "There's enormous enthusiasm from ITV to do it. We're just trying to work out how it would be affordable. The budget is about to go off to ITV," he said. Everybody seems to have residual affection for Spitting Image. It could be scrappy and uneven, but it's rather like a newspaper. You don't expect it to be brilliant every time, but there's something delicious in every edition," Mr Lloyd said. By early 2006, ITV were producing a documentary celebrating the series and if the audience figures were good a full series might have been produced. On 25 June 2006, ITV transmitted Best Ever Spitting Image as a one-off special of Spitting Image which took a nostalgic look back at the programme's highlights. This special actually prevented ITV directly resurrecting the famous satire as they had planned, because it featured new puppets of Ant and Dec - a move which was against the wishes of Roger Law, who owns the rights to the Spitting Image brand. www.youtube.com/watch?v=I8adsL4rz18 In 2007 ITV created a CGI version to caricature and lampoon the famous, called Headcases.

BARACK HUSSEIN OBAMA ----------- JUST PATHETICImage by SS&SS WHAT AN ASS THIS MAN IS WHAT AN EMBARRASSMENT TO KENYA WHAT AND EMBARRASSMENT TO THE PRESIDENCY WHAT AN EMBARRASSMENT TO THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA President Barack Obamaâs appearance last week on âThe Viewâ was his third time on the show. He was scheduled to speak to the Boy Scouts of America on the same day that he taped âThe View.â Obama is the honorary chairman of the organization, but he stiffed the scouts to go on a daytime TV talk show, and followed that up with fundraising events in hopes of fattening coffers for upcoming midterm elections. After the taping, Obama went to two ,000-per-person Democratic National Committee fundraisers in Manhattan, including one at the fancy residence of âVogueâ editor Anna Wintour, the woman who inspired the Meryl Streep character in âThe Devil Wears Prada.â At a time when our men and women in the military are putting their lives on the line, millions of Joes and Janes are out of work and the nation is slip-sliding toward bankruptcy, it is beyond appalling that four Marine helicopters, a battalion of police and a slew of Secret Service agents had to be mobilized just so that Obama could sit down for a mid-morning chitchat with Barbara Walters and Joy Behar and give his sagging approval ratings an assist. Obama promised to bring change. I guess he has. But I venture to say there are probably not a lot of folks who thought that change would come in the form of lowering the dignity and stature of the presidential office to celebrity D-list level. Obamaâs been bouncing from late-night TV studios to the daytime TV talk couch, not to mention using the phrase âI know whose a** to kickâ on a morning news program. THIS IS WHAT THIS MAN HAS REDUCED THE PRESIDENCY OF THE UNITED STATES TO-------------I WONDER IF HE BOWED TO THE PRODUCER OF THE SHOW BEFORE GOING ON -----------BET HE DID --------------------------THE ASS

Millenniumâs Signature StylingImage by MillenniumLuxuryCoaches Sometimes you know youâre looking for a change, but not sure where to start. Other times, you may have ideas, but need help with designs or refinements, and in ultimately making them a reality. Thatâs where Millennium Luxury Coachesâ design team can lend a hand. Our Complimentary design consultations are the perfect no risk opportunity to talk to our professional interior designers about your unique ideas, and receive a host of possible options for your all of your specific requests. With thousands of fabric, wood, tile and accessories samples onsite, we make the process fast, easy, and fun.

Behind the Scenes with Avedaâ¢ â" Osklen SS14 â" Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week New York Spring Summer 2014 â" #MBFW #NYFW â" September 17, 2013 â" Creative Commons (cc) photos distributed by Mainstream via Aveda CorporationImage by goMainstream âââââââââââââââââââââââââââââââââââ Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week New York Behind the Scenes with Avedaâ¢ â" Osklen SS14 at MBFW NYFW ââââââââââââ AVEDA CORPORATION Avedaâ¢, The Art and Science of Pure Flower and Plant Essencesâ¢, was founded in 1978 with the goal of providing beauty industry professionals with high performance, botanically based products that would be better for service providers and their guests, as well as for the planet. Aveda manufactures plant-based hair care, skin care, makeup, Pure-Fumeâ¢ and lifestyle products. Aveda is available in Aveda stores, and in nearly 7,000 professional hair salons and spas in 29 countries worldwide. aveda.comtwitter.com/aveda ââââââââââââ DESIGNER On Wednesday, September 11th at 7:00 PM at The Stage at The Tents at Lincoln Center, creative director Oskar Metsavaht of Osklen debuted his women's Spring/Summer 2014 collection. For Spring/Summer 2014 Metsavaht takes inspiration from the cut, color, vibrancy and transparency of gemstones, translating these influences into a collection of innovative fabrications and original prints. The Osklen aesthetic represents the lifestyle of modern men and women in a world where the urban and the naturalistic, the global and the local, the organic and the technological co-exist. This balance is further exemplified by the brand's use of eco-friendly "e-fabrics". This season, Metsavaht utilizes ecological silk, formed by use of cocoons discarded by the industrial process and environmentally safe vegetable dyes. osklen.comtwitter.com/Osklentwitter.com/osklenUSA ââââââââââââ EVENT Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week New York Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week is New York City's single largest media event, taking place twice a year (February & September) at Lincoln Center, one of the most well known arts and cultural institutions in the world. The event provides top designers an international platform to showcase their collections to more than 100,000 industry insiders from around the world, including buyers, editors, retailers, celebrities, VIPs, and more. With more than 80 designers shows over 8 days, it is known as the premier event worldwide where style, beauty, supermodels, and celebrities come together to celebrate the best in fashion. mbfashionweek.com ââââââââââââ PUBLICITY Photos added to the Creative Commons (cc) by Aveda Corporation aveda.comtwitter.com/aveda âââââââââââââââââââââââââââââââââââ Images licensed with the following Creative Commons license on September 12, 2013 creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/deed.en_CA ââââââââââââ Mainstre.am Mainstream makes images available to the independent press, the mainstream press, open media such as Flickr, Creative Commons, and Wikipedia. We will soon launch with a service for content creators, publicists, and publishers around the world. mainstre.am ââââââââââââ Contact Questions can be sent to: Tamara McCartney (Assistant Producer) twitter.com/tamaramccartney and Jason Hargrove (Founder) twitter.com/jasonhargrovejasonhargrove.com

Behind the Scenes with Avedaâ¢ â" Osklen SS14 â" Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week New York Spring Summer 2014 â" #MBFW #NYFW â" September 17, 2013 â" Creative Commons (cc) photos distributed by Mainstream via Aveda CorporationImage by goMainstream âââââââââââââââââââââââââââââââââââ Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week New York Behind the Scenes with Avedaâ¢ â" Osklen SS14 at MBFW NYFW ââââââââââââ AVEDA CORPORATION Avedaâ¢, The Art and Science of Pure Flower and Plant Essencesâ¢, was founded in 1978 with the goal of providing beauty industry professionals with high performance, botanically based products that would be better for service providers and their guests, as well as for the planet. Aveda manufactures plant-based hair care, skin care, makeup, Pure-Fumeâ¢ and lifestyle products. Aveda is available in Aveda stores, and in nearly 7,000 professional hair salons and spas in 29 countries worldwide. aveda.comtwitter.com/aveda ââââââââââââ DESIGNER On Wednesday, September 11th at 7:00 PM at The Stage at The Tents at Lincoln Center, creative director Oskar Metsavaht of Osklen debuted his women's Spring/Summer 2014 collection. For Spring/Summer 2014 Metsavaht takes inspiration from the cut, color, vibrancy and transparency of gemstones, translating these influences into a collection of innovative fabrications and original prints. The Osklen aesthetic represents the lifestyle of modern men and women in a world where the urban and the naturalistic, the global and the local, the organic and the technological co-exist. This balance is further exemplified by the brand's use of eco-friendly "e-fabrics". This season, Metsavaht utilizes ecological silk, formed by use of cocoons discarded by the industrial process and environmentally safe vegetable dyes. osklen.comtwitter.com/Osklentwitter.com/osklenUSA ââââââââââââ EVENT Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week New York Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week is New York City's single largest media event, taking place twice a year (February & September) at Lincoln Center, one of the most well known arts and cultural institutions in the world. The event provides top designers an international platform to showcase their collections to more than 100,000 industry insiders from around the world, including buyers, editors, retailers, celebrities, VIPs, and more. With more than 80 designers shows over 8 days, it is known as the premier event worldwide where style, beauty, supermodels, and celebrities come together to celebrate the best in fashion. mbfashionweek.com ââââââââââââ PUBLICITY Photos added to the Creative Commons (cc) by Aveda Corporation aveda.comtwitter.com/aveda âââââââââââââââââââââââââââââââââââ Images licensed with the following Creative Commons license on September 12, 2013 creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/deed.en_CA ââââââââââââ Mainstre.am Mainstream makes images available to the independent press, the mainstream press, open media such as Flickr, Creative Commons, and Wikipedia. We will soon launch with a service for content creators, publicists, and publishers around the world. mainstre.am ââââââââââââ Contact Questions can be sent to: Tamara McCartney (Assistant Producer) twitter.com/tamaramccartney and Jason Hargrove (Founder) twitter.com/jasonhargrovejasonhargrove.com

Nikki PhillipsImage by Eva Rinaldi Celebrity and Live Music Photographer Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week; Cruise Bar hosts famous fashion event; MBFWA business wheels in motion Cruise Bar Hosts Fashion Week... When it comes to style the Cruise Bar and Restaurant is a perfect host partner for the prestigious Mercedes-Benz Australian Fashion Week. For the first time in many years, Cruise Restaurant is open to the public everyday of fashion week for lunch and dinner. Fashion Week is Sydneyâs premier fashion and lifestyle event showcasing some of our most talented and contemporary designers. The beautiful waterfront location of Cruise Bar in Circular Quay is an ideal location to enjoy gourmet food, decadent wines and delicious cocktails while enjoying the cultural surrounds that is Fashion week. For more information visit their official website. Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week: Business, fashion, beauty, deals and gossip... Sydney will be enjoying a bevy of catwalk shows and party like events as Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Australia commences tomorrow. But unlike the increasing number of fashion festivals across the country where people can buy tickets to events, MBFWA is invitation only. Today was media registration day, which was quite an event in its own right. Over five days, fashion designers show their latest collections to media reps, celebrities and retail buyers, and the response can be paramount to the bottom line. This year happens to mark Mercedes-Benzâs return to Fashion Week as the title sponsor, which many media and fashion commentators have welcomed. âThe strong link between Mercedes-Benz and fashion was initiated in Australia with the launch of Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week in 1995, so itâs come full circle,â advised Mercedes-Benz senior manager of corporate communications David McCarthy. The car makerâs Fashion Week events have spread around the world to places such as New York and Berlin, and to Swim Fashion Week in Miami. The Mercedes-Benzâs sponsorship deal was not exactly a secret last year as Rosemountâs (wine) five-year run came to an end. The new deal is understood to be valued at million over three years but McCarthy says the details are confidential. MBFWA comes with a many change. A key change from the festival organisers is that IMG Fashion have reduced the price of on-site venue fees. A trend over the past few years. This year, it set back exhibitors ,250 to use the newly returned Tent at the Overseas Passenger Terminal as a catwalk venue, 00 to be a part of Fashion Week but show off-site and between 00 and 00 to showcase collections at The Rocks Pop-Up suites. Two of the festivalâs biggest names, Josh Goot and Dion Lee, pulled out a fortnight before their respective shows. The designers who have fallen by the wayside in the lead-up to the five-day event have either opted to concentrate on upcoming overseas shows (Lee), to focus on getting collections out to coincide with northern hemisphere seasons (Goot) or have chosen to disregard Fashion Week from the get-go, with Fairfax Media pointing to Alex Perry as the example. For Melbourne Business School associate professor of marketing Mark Ritson, having Australian designers drop out is a âtrickyâ scenario. âOn the one hand, you have to respect any Australian designer focused on building their reputation overseas,â he says. âWe are perilously under-represented in Paris and Milan. âBut at the same time, a designer has to be careful of burning branding bridges back home. That said, if Goot or Lee make it in Europe theyâll be welcomed back home in 2013 with open arms.â Fashion Week is serious business. Alongside Mercedes-Benz, sponsors that have signed on this year include DHL, EYE, HP, Maybelline NY, Redken, Shangri-La Hotel Sydney, Pentax, Keystone Hospitality and Getty Images. The NSW government, Destination NSW and Austrade are also supporting the event. In addition, designers are obtaining their own sponsorships. Jayson Brunsdonâs show, for instance, is being presented by Myer and sponsored by Qantas, Woolmark, TRESemme, MAC Cosmetics and Joh Bailey. Couture designer Johanna Johnson is the virgin Australian designer to showcase her collection at the prestigious Mercedes-Benz Presents show, which has previously featured big fashion names such as Herve Leger by Max Azria, Carolina Herrera and Badgley Mischka. âTo do [the Presents show] during our first year back was a priority,â McCarthy says. Johnson recently found international success, with Hollywood actresses Christina Hendricks and Maya Rudolph wearing her feminine creations on the red carpet. The show will have the same feel â" glamour, lots of hand-beading and detailed finishes. âI hadnât really considered doing it and was focusing more on overseas expansion this year,â Johnson says. âBut weâre having so much feedback from Australians wanting to know more now, it will be really good to showcase our luxury lifestyle line and red carpet ready-to-wear.â She initially signed on to show in the smallest of the three catwalk venues, the Box, but had to move the show to the Tent (the biggest) as the number of outfits she wanted to parade expanded. âItâs our debut show so we want it done as well as it possibly can be,â she says. Australian accessories giant Oroton is launching its first ready-to-wear collection. But for creative director Ana Maria Escobar, the clothes are there to show off the accessories â" be they handbags, jewellery or shoes. âThe biggest thing is when I walked into the stores, I saw theyâneeded something soft to highlight the accessories,â she says. Customers can expect âunderstated qualityâ from the newâOroton clothing range. âTo me, functionality is important,â Escobar says. âSo are the materials .â.â. it can be a simple singlet but made out of really beautiful silk or customised fabrics. Thereâs a tone of heritage as well.â While Oroton views Fashion Week as important, Escobar says there is also âlife beyond those 15 minutes on the catwalkâ. For the retailer, itâs about reminding people of the brand. âWe want to talk a little louder about the product we design,â she says. âFashion Week gives us that space without having to scream.â This year, a great spread of overseas buyers will be in attendance, many from online retailers such as Net-A-Porter, My Wardrobe, Shopbop, Moda Operandi and ASOS. Department store Harvey Nichols and Hong Kong-based Joyce will also have buyers present. The retail picture in Australia is not particularly strong, and IBISWorld analysts are predicting growth for the local rag trade over the coming financial year will be flat at just 0.5âper cent. IBISWorld general manager Karen Dobie says the high Australian dollar is a double-edged sword for retailers, as local vendors can buy overseas at a favourable rate, but increasingly tech-savvy competition is straining profit margins. New to MBFWA: Dylan Cooper; Flowers for a Vagabond; Toi et Moi Sydney; By Johnny; Oroton; Watson x Watson; An Ode to No One; Jenny Kee; Aje; Roppa Pemmaraju; Blessâd Are The Meek and Nana Judy Not present this year: Dion Lee; Josh Goot; Alex Perry; Arnsdorf; Morrison; Friend of Mine; Flannel; Karla Spetic; Lover; Therese Rawsthorne; MsâCouture; Rachel Gilbert; Little Joe Woman (voluntary administration); Nookie; Amber & Thomas; Marnie Skillings; Kate Sylvester; Shakuhachi; Bianca Spender; Dhini; Camilla & Marc; White Suede; Yeojin Bae; Lisa Blue; Limedrop; Stolen Girlfriends Club; Alistair Trung; Saint Augustine Academy (which shut up shop late last year) Returning to the show: Romance Was Born; Camilla; Aurelio Costarella; Ksubi; Jayson Brunsdon; Akira Camilla... Since launching her label eight years ago, Camilla Franks continues to receive global recognition as an Australian designer who has a unique approach to creating colorful, playful and luxurious lifestyle fashion. Her unique ready-to-wear and resort wear designs are becoming highly sought after products, capturing the attentions of celebrities and fashionistas alike. Camillaâs global fan club (which includes the likes of Beyonce Knowles, Miranda Kerr, Kate Hudson, Lily Allen and Gwen Stefani) reached new heights 2 years ago when the queen of television, Oprah Winfrey, glowed in one of her designs while taping her âdown underâ series. The general public and the fashion world gushed and stock sold out overnight. Camilla is definitely a brand on the move. So, how did Camilla Franks become one of Australiaâs most iconic fashion designers? This iconic brand came to be whilst Camilla was exploring her passions for theatrical artistry. Here, she embraced her inner creative spirit to craft beautiful elaborate costumes for the various characters in her productions. It wasnât long before the Australian fashion market caught eye of these imaginative, easy-to-wear designs and catapulted Camilla on this amazing journey. Today, Camilla has evolved from beach and resort fashion into ready-to-wear clothes that cater to all her clientâs needs. Globally, Camilla has begun weaving into the various fashion niches, resulting in a kaleidoscope of high-end editorial and extending an already growing customer database. Over eight years, Camilla has produced nine collections: these include the highly anticipated 2011/12âs Spring Summer Collection, Labyrinth; which has received significant media attention and 2012âs Autumn Winter Collection Caravanserai, Camillaâs second winter season. The success of her brand is derived from Camillaâs philosophy that âall women have the right to look and feel beautiful no matter their age, colour, size or originâ, this is also a testament to the companyâs popularity and growing awareness. Camilla is a brand that celebrates women, self-expression, beauty and individuality. The signature âCamillaâ piece is a statement of brilliant colour, graphics and material rhythm. It is a celebration of shapes that can be tailored to individual styles and that follow global trends. Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Australia Announces Preliminary Line-up... Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Australia Announces Preliminary Line-upfor Spring/Summer 2012/13 Collections Sydney, Australia (February 29, 2012) Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Australia is excited to announce cult label Ksubi, celebrity favourite Camilla, Zimmermann, Lisa Ho, Toni Maticevski, Aurelio Costarella, Jayson Brunsdon, Ellery, and Carl Kapp will be amongst the line-up of designers showcasing their Spring/Summer 2012/13 Collections at Sydneyâs Overseas Passenger Terminal, April 30 to May 4, 2012. "MBFWA is a fantastic opportunity for emerging Australian designers to join already well established designers in showcasing their creations not just in venues that people expect but in venues and spaces that will reflect the diversity and vibrancy of the Australian fashion scene. The shows, presentations and locations demonstrate that MBFWA has a flavour and style that can more than hold its own around the world" says Gavin Allen, General Marketing, Mercedes-Benz Australia/Pacific. A stand out on the 2012 schedule is expected to be Romance was Born. The label is showcasing their polished ready to wear collection combining art and wearable fashion in a sophisticated Spring Summer range. Johanna Johnson will also attract hype as she hosts an intimate salon show for her debut at MBFWA. Mixing old Hollywood charm and modern simplicity, Johnson is renowned for her recent Oscarâs role dressing starlets in her eponymous label. Iconic Australian brand, Oroton will also debut on the runway at MBFWA for the first time demonstrating the brand is as skilled at creating Ready to Wear womenâs wear as well as their well known luxury accessories. Joining this incredible line up of iconic designers are Magdalena Velevska, Alice McCall, Lisa Maree, Gary Bigeni, Bec and Bridge, Miss Unkon, Bowie, Kooey Australia, Michael Lo Sordo, Kirrily Johnston and Talulah. New talent showcasing for the first time, Watson x Watson are sure to excite international buyers and media with their collections, providing new âones to watchâ for our global audience. Watson x Watson focus on everyday luxury and easy glamour, with a relaxed, sexy appeal that has become synonymous with Australian fashion. Other newcomers joining the MBFWA family: We are Handsome, Aje, Elliot Ward Fear, Roopa Pemmaraju, Flowers for a Vagabond, Suboo, An Ode to No One and Project Runway Australia winner Dylan Cooper and alumni by Johnny. Designers involved in the 2012 New Generation, Fashion Design Studio and Raffles emerging talent shows will be announced shortly. âWeâre extremely excited by the response from designers and brands and are looking forward to showcasing the new seasons Spring Summer Collections in our world class facilities on site as well as sharing more of the city of Sydneyâs wonderfully unique locations with our expanded off site program of shows and presentationsââ says Jarrad Clark, Global Production Director, IMG Fashion. Leveraging our global network, Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Australia is introducing new showroom spaces, exciting venue upgrades and unique presentation spaces to ensure our line up of designers have innovative way to communicate their artistic vision for 2012. For the first time on Australian soil, many designers will showcase their collections via a studio style presentation space known as The Box. Having established itself at MBFW in NY and Berlin, designers are redefining how they showcase their collections using this blank canvas. Australian designer Dion Lee recently used a presentation style space to showcase his collection at London Fashion Week and wowed crowds with his use of lighting to create drama and engagement around his collection without the confines of the runway. 2012 will also see the much anticipated return of The Tent. Synonymous with international fashion events, the sheer scale of The Tent showroom set on the Sydney harbour foreshore will create an incredible billboard for MBFWA and the Australian Fashion Industry for our attending local and international guests. Key buyers will have the opportunity to get up close with designer collections during the week via a unique offering of Designer Showrooms via The Rocks Pop-Up Suites, utilising retail spaces within The Rocks historical precinct, designers will be able to house their collections off runway, and meet buyers and media in one on one appointments. It is here that designers are encouraged to create consumer offerings around the Fashion Week schedule to create more retail opportunities for our participating designer brands. MBFWA hosts the worldâs most influential buyers, media and industry players during the 5 day event and bring Sydney city to life with Fashion Week fever. With the support of our official partners, and showcasing designers, the 2012 season will be a standout year showcasing the creative energy and raw talent that Australia has to offer. Title sponsor Mercedes-Benz is proudly supported by Government partners Destination NSW and Austrade, Maybelline New York, DHL, HP/Intel, Redken 5th Avenue NYC and EYE and as well as media outlet Getty Images. Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Australia is an IMG event. The Spring Summer 2012/13 Collections will take place April 30 to May 4, 2012, Press and Industry Registration opens March 1, 2012. For more information please visit us online at mbfashionweek.com Follow us on Twitter @MBFWA and on the Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Facebook Websites Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week (Australia) australia.mbfashionweek.com IMG Worldwide www.imgworld.com Cruise Bar www.cruisebar.com.au Eva Rinaldi Photography Flickr www.flickr.com/evarinaldiphotography Eva Rinaldi Photography www.evarinaldi.com

Cruise0604Image by jammer29 Ice from the Sawyer Glacier. The ice ranges in size from a few feet to a 3+ story building. There were several turns in the fjord, so we never knew what we were going to see next.

Two GreatsImage by Shavar Ross Circa 1984. 13. Summer. Toronto, Canada. Had the opportunity to work on a feature film for television with Frances Foster (left) and Gloria Foster (no relation), two great actresses. Some of you may remember Gloria Foster as "The Oracle" in the first two "The Matrix" films. Unfortunately she passed away before she could reprise her role in the final film. Frances Foster appeared in movies such as Crooklyn and Malcolm X among a ton of others. Sometimes I'll flip through and see them in movies made long ago. I miss them both.

CFC Garden Party 2012Image by Canadian Film Centre At the CFC Garden Party, where the Canadian Film Centre (CFC) announced THE SLAIGHT FAMILY MUSIC LAB, supported by The Slaight Family Foundation, at the CFC Garden Party, which will launch in the Fall of 2012. The Music Lab will encourage the integration of music creators (songwriters and composers) into the onscreen process while offering unique business opportunities to increase Canadian music onscreen. To learn more about The Slaight Family Music Lab, please visit: cfccreates.com/music. Photo by Ernesto DiStefano

WorldFest 2011, LA's biggest "green" eco-friendly festivalImage by Mary Cummins Sunday, May 22nd, 2011, 10:30 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. at WorldFest 2011 Earth Day Festival. It will be held at the beautiful outdoor setting of Woodley Park in Lake Balboa at 6350 Woodley Ave., Van Nuys, CA 91406. We welcome our attendees to a magnificent day filled with entertainment, education and enlightenment. Now in its tenth year, WorldFest has established itself as LAâs premiere solar powered pet and family-friendly "green" event. With more than 100 exhibitors, a global vegetarian and vegan food court, entertainment areas for children, and an eclectic blend of live music and engaging speaker line-up, WorldFest promises a day of entertainment and inspiration. Stars from television, film, music and sports will be joined by healthy living experts and culinary maestros to bring issues near and dear to their hearts to a broad audience, and to inspire festival-goers to embrace compassionate living. A few of our speakers include Emmy and Genesis award winning journalist Lu Parker of the Lu Parker Project, Leilani Munter professional race car driver and the Carbon Free Girl and Shannon Keith producer of "Skin Trade" and "Behind the Mask." Sponsors spanning the green spectrum include Lagunitas Brewing company, VegNews Magazine, Sun Flour Baking Co., Animal Cruelty Investigations, 100.3 fm The Sound, Follow Your Heart, Culture and Animals Foundation, Sun Cafe, Klean Kanteen, Town & Country event rentals, Lake Balboa Neighborhood Council and Mike the printer. Check out our website for a current list of Celebrities, Sponsors, Musicians, Speakers and more. Toward Freedom is a 501 3c non-profit dedicated to educating, inspiring, and supporting people on their quests to live more compassionately. For more information on WorldFest 2010, visit WorldFest at www.WorldFestEvents.com or call (310) 477-7887. Check the website for the latest updates on WorldFestâs musical entertainment, exhibitors, and speakers.

WorldFest 2011, LA's biggest "green" eco-friendly festivalImage by Mary Cummins Sunday, May 22nd, 2011, 10:30 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. at WorldFest 2011 Earth Day Festival. It will be held at the beautiful outdoor setting of Woodley Park in Lake Balboa at 6350 Woodley Ave., Van Nuys, CA 91406. We welcome our attendees to a magnificent day filled with entertainment, education and enlightenment. Now in its tenth year, WorldFest has established itself as LAâs premiere solar powered pet and family-friendly "green" event. With more than 100 exhibitors, a global vegetarian and vegan food court, entertainment areas for children, and an eclectic blend of live music and engaging speaker line-up, WorldFest promises a day of entertainment and inspiration. Stars from television, film, music and sports will be joined by healthy living experts and culinary maestros to bring issues near and dear to their hearts to a broad audience, and to inspire festival-goers to embrace compassionate living. A few of our speakers include Emmy and Genesis award winning journalist Lu Parker of the Lu Parker Project, Leilani Munter professional race car driver and the Carbon Free Girl and Shannon Keith producer of "Skin Trade" and "Behind the Mask." Sponsors spanning the green spectrum include Lagunitas Brewing company, VegNews Magazine, Sun Flour Baking Co., Animal Cruelty Investigations, 100.3 fm The Sound, Follow Your Heart, Culture and Animals Foundation, Sun Cafe, Klean Kanteen, Town & Country event rentals, Lake Balboa Neighborhood Council and Mike the printer. Check out our website for a current list of Celebrities, Sponsors, Musicians, Speakers and more. Toward Freedom is a 501 3c non-profit dedicated to educating, inspiring, and supporting people on their quests to live more compassionately. For more information on WorldFest 2010, visit WorldFest at www.WorldFestEvents.com or call (310) 477-7887. Check the website for the latest updates on WorldFestâs musical entertainment, exhibitors, and speakers.

PAVONI - World MasterCard Fashion Week - October 22, 2012Image by Jason Hargrove PAVONI luxury Canadian fashion house established in 2011 by co-founders Mike Derderian & Gianni Falcone , caters to women with an inspired sense of taste, an appreciation for superior fabrics, impeccable craftsmanship and incomparable design. PAVONI has quickly become one of the most inspired luxury labels on the market today. Their vision is of classic traditional elegance fused with a contemporary edge. Six seasons in, PAVONI has garnered international acclaim, proven itself a fierce competitor to the biggest names in the industry, and become a celebrity favorite. The PAVONI collection which consists of extravagantly adorned evening gowns, breathtaking bridal gowns and decadent cocktail dresses, is shown during Paris and Toronto Fashion Weeks and can be found in over 30 of the most exclusive retailers worldwide. pavonicollection.comtwitter.com/PAVONIofficial + Video from the first day at World MasterCard Fashion Week youtu.be/8zwUc5AmM6w?hd=1 + World MasterCard Fashion Week worldmastercardfashionweek.comtwitter.com/WMCFashionWeek + Photo Distributed by Mainstream mainstre.am + Photos by Jason Hargrove jasonhargrove.comtwitter.com/jasonhargrove

PAVONI - World MasterCard Fashion Week - October 22, 2012Image by Jason Hargrove PAVONI luxury Canadian fashion house established in 2011 by co-founders Mike Derderian & Gianni Falcone , caters to women with an inspired sense of taste, an appreciation for superior fabrics, impeccable craftsmanship and incomparable design. PAVONI has quickly become one of the most inspired luxury labels on the market today. Their vision is of classic traditional elegance fused with a contemporary edge. Six seasons in, PAVONI has garnered international acclaim, proven itself a fierce competitor to the biggest names in the industry, and become a celebrity favorite. The PAVONI collection which consists of extravagantly adorned evening gowns, breathtaking bridal gowns and decadent cocktail dresses, is shown during Paris and Toronto Fashion Weeks and can be found in over 30 of the most exclusive retailers worldwide. pavonicollection.comtwitter.com/PAVONIofficial + Video from the first day at World MasterCard Fashion Week youtu.be/8zwUc5AmM6w?hd=1 + World MasterCard Fashion Week worldmastercardfashionweek.comtwitter.com/WMCFashionWeek + Photo Distributed by Mainstream mainstre.am + Photos by Jason Hargrove jasonhargrove.comtwitter.com/jasonhargrove

PAVONI - World MasterCard Fashion Week - October 22, 2012Image by Jason Hargrove PAVONI luxury Canadian fashion house established in 2011 by co-founders Mike Derderian & Gianni Falcone , caters to women with an inspired sense of taste, an appreciation for superior fabrics, impeccable craftsmanship and incomparable design. PAVONI has quickly become one of the most inspired luxury labels on the market today. Their vision is of classic traditional elegance fused with a contemporary edge. Six seasons in, PAVONI has garnered international acclaim, proven itself a fierce competitor to the biggest names in the industry, and become a celebrity favorite. The PAVONI collection which consists of extravagantly adorned evening gowns, breathtaking bridal gowns and decadent cocktail dresses, is shown during Paris and Toronto Fashion Weeks and can be found in over 30 of the most exclusive retailers worldwide. pavonicollection.comtwitter.com/PAVONIofficial + Video from the first day at World MasterCard Fashion Week youtu.be/8zwUc5AmM6w?hd=1 + World MasterCard Fashion Week worldmastercardfashionweek.comtwitter.com/WMCFashionWeek + Photo Distributed by Mainstream mainstre.am + Photos by Jason Hargrove jasonhargrove.comtwitter.com/jasonhargrove

Barry OttoImage by Eva Rinaldi Celebrity and Live Music Photographer Movie Walk Of Fame At Randwick Ritz; The Spot Festival - film, foodies and more Today thousands of Sydneysiders tuned out in droves for the The Spot Festival at Randwick in Sydney's eastern suburbs. The major event was one giant party and a celebration of movies, food, and there was also plenty of embracing of multi multiculturalism, both in food and dance. There was live entertainment on three stages and two of Australiaâs most iconic actors, Barry Otto and Deborah Mailman were honoured on the Australian Film Walk of Fame. The main performance stage featured Soulganic and celebrity MC James Valentine kept the crowd entertained. The Festival Bar was very popular and the bean bag chill out zone worked a charm. Celebrity chef Tony Bilson had his own stall and he offered up cooking demonstrations. Randwick Mayor Cr Scott Nash told media earlier in the week that The Spot Festival is firmly established as a favourite on the street festival circuit. "The Spot is a vibrant, cultural, and creative area, and has really carved a niche as a unique culinary destination. The Spot Festival really reflects the diversity and energy of our City. What a great way to enjoy the last burst of summer! "There will be plenty to keep the kids entertained, as well as demonstrations of capoeira and Brazilian dancing. And as the sun begins to set, the stars come out! See some of Australiaâs best-loved names in film be immortalised on the Australian Film Walk Of Fame outside the iconic art deco Ritz Cinema," Cr Nash said. The Australian Film Walk of Fame is proudly co-presented by Randwick City Council and the Australian Film Festival, and it was great to see Randwick mayor Scott Nash support Aussie film in person. Thank you to everyone who made today a success, and see you on the red carpet again soon. Websites Randwick City Council www.randwick.nsw.gov.au Australian Film Festival www.australianfilmfestival.com.au Ritz Cinema www.ritzcinema.com.au Eva Rinaldi Photography Flickr www.flickr.com/evarinaldiphotography Eva Rinaldi Photography www.evarinaldi.com Music News Australia www.musicnewsaustralia.com Cardinal Spin www.cardinalspin.com.au

The Australian Film Walk Of FameImage by Eva Rinaldi Celebrity and Live Music Photographer Movie Walk Of Fame At Randwick Ritz; The Spot Festival - film, foodies and more Today thousands of Sydneysiders tuned out in droves for the The Spot Festival at Randwick in Sydney's eastern suburbs. The major event was one giant party and a celebration of movies, food, and there was also plenty of embracing of multi multiculturalism, both in food and dance. There was live entertainment on three stages and two of Australiaâs most iconic actors, Barry Otto and Deborah Mailman were honoured on the Australian Film Walk of Fame. The main performance stage featured Soulganic and celebrity MC James Valentine kept the crowd entertained. The Festival Bar was very popular and the bean bag chill out zone worked a charm. Celebrity chef Tony Bilson had his own stall and he offered up cooking demonstrations. Randwick Mayor Cr Scott Nash told media earlier in the week that The Spot Festival is firmly established as a favourite on the street festival circuit. "The Spot is a vibrant, cultural, and creative area, and has really carved a niche as a unique culinary destination. The Spot Festival really reflects the diversity and energy of our City. What a great way to enjoy the last burst of summer! "There will be plenty to keep the kids entertained, as well as demonstrations of capoeira and Brazilian dancing. And as the sun begins to set, the stars come out! See some of Australiaâs best-loved names in film be immortalised on the Australian Film Walk Of Fame outside the iconic art deco Ritz Cinema," Cr Nash said. The Australian Film Walk of Fame is proudly co-presented by Randwick City Council and the Australian Film Festival, and it was great to see Randwick mayor Scott Nash support Aussie film in person. Thank you to everyone who made today a success, and see you on the red carpet again soon. Websites Randwick City Council www.randwick.nsw.gov.au Australian Film Festival www.australianfilmfestival.com.au Ritz Cinema www.ritzcinema.com.au Eva Rinaldi Photography Flickr www.flickr.com/evarinaldiphotography Eva Rinaldi Photography www.evarinaldi.com Music News Australia www.musicnewsaustralia.com Cardinal Spin www.cardinalspin.com.au

1290 Avenue of the Americas (formerly Coconuts record store); site of the historic 1994 meeting between Mariah Carey and yours trulyImage by InSapphoWeTrust I am at the intersection of West 51st Street and Avenue of the Americas (Sixth Avenue), northeast corner. Sure, the red decor of the ATM lobby is interesting, but that's not why I took this photo. Back in the 1990s, when I was based in New York City, this was a location of Coconuts. And on 21 November 1994, Mariah Carey was here to do a meet-and-greet to sign her then-new Christmas release, Merry Christmas. A key single from that album, "All I Want for Christmas Is You," went on to become the most popular Christmas song ever. On that day, I was right here. The bank lobby to the right was the store entrance, and this ATM lobby was where Mariah would have sat at a desk to meet with the fans. Out where I am on the sidewalk was where the line was - circling the entire block. After a 12-hour wait, I managed to say hello, and have a chat. (The meet-and-greet ran only two hours, 5PM to 7PM. I had arrived at dawn to line up.) This event marked my first-ever meeting with my favorite celebrity. I would not have another celebrity meeting until 2006. To me, this is a bit of a special spot, alongside Barnes & Noble Bookstore, The Grove, Los Angeles (where I had the next celeb meeting - with Anna Nalick, in 2006) and Sony Style, Century City, Los Angeles (where I met Natasha Bedingfield in 2011). To mark the occasion and my return to this spot, I lingered for a while, listening to all three artists on my iPod for a while and singing a few Mariah Carey numbers while at it. (And speaking of Anna Nalick, I am also carrying an autographed CD of hers as a good luck travel charm - and in 2014 I would see her right in New York.) As one of the few idols of my earlier years, Mariah Carey holds a special place in my heart. And with the passing of my other early idols - Michael Jackson in 2009, Whitney Houston in 2012 - Mariah Carey is also the last early idol of mine who is still alive.

Occupy Wall StreetImage by Mat McDermott September 30th, 2011 (day 13) â"Thousands of people packed shoulder-to-shoulder into Liberty Plaza this Friday, eclipsing the numbers on the first day of the protest. Some were no doubt lured by an (incorrect) rumor that Radiohead would be playing a surprise show. Whatever the initial motivation, attendence remained strong once it came out that there would be no celebrity guest.